Bowser's Brother
| Bowser's Brother | |
|---|---|
 Artwork of Bowser's Brother from Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels | |
| Species | Bowser's species |
| First appearance | Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (1986) |
| Latest appearance | Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. (2020) |
Bowser's Brother,[1] also referred to as Fake Bowser (Blue),[2] is a character similar to Bowser who appears in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. His identity varies in supplemental material, with his most consistent characteristic being his bluish color that was removed in Super Mario All-Stars.[3]
History
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
Bowser's Brother makes his first appearance in the Family Computer Disk System version of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. There, he appears before the fight with Bowser in World 8-4, where he tries to stop Mario or Luigi by throwing hammers at them and breathing fire. He reappears alone in World 9-3, but does not breathe fire.
While distinguished from Bowser by the color of his skin and shell (brown and deep cyan, respectively), defeating him with fireballs does not reveal him as one of Bowser's minions, making him distinct from the fake Bowsers. In World D-4, however, a fake version of him appears that only breathes fire, being revealed as a Spiny when defeated with fireballs.
All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros. reuses World 8-4 and World D-4 from The Lost Levels, so Bowser's Brother and his imposter also return.
Bowser's Brother returns in the Super Mario All-Stars remake of The Lost Levels, where he is colored identically to Bowser, though an unused color palette shows him with his blue color scheme, as well as magenta hair.[4] In World D-4, he replaces his imposter but does not breathe fire.
Super Smash Bros. series
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the eighth costume of Bowser is said to be Bowser's Brother in the tips. It replaces a similar-looking costume from previous games that has yellow hair and green limbs, likely based on Bowser's original artwork (though with the shell and skin colors swapped).
Blue-colored versions of Bowser distinct from Bowser’s Brother
Even though these blue-colored versions of Bowser likely affected the depiction of Bowser’s Brother, they are not stated to be him.
Super Mario Bros.
In the original Super Mario Bros., the palette used for castle sections before the final boss battle causes an unintended consequence in which Bowser has the same blue coloration of Bowser's Brother. This is due to color of Bowser's skin and shell being obtained through a palette swap commonly used in castle sections of the game, except for the parts in which the boss is fought. Because of this, standing near the end of a castle in a way so that Bowser is barely seen on the right-hand side of the screen causes him to appear dark shades of teal, but he will revert back to his correct colors if Mario or Luigi advances any further. The same graphical oversight can be seen in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. Additionally, defeating a fake Bowser before his color change will result in the enemy acting as his true form to retain this color scheme (such as World 5-4's fake Bowser becoming a Lakitu using the underground/castle color scheme).
Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)
The second palette swap of Bowser in the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Golf features a blue skin and a blue shell. Contrary to what would happen in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the shell and head have a lighter blue color than the skin.
Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64)
In the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Tennis, one of Bowser's palette swaps features the same blue colors seen in Mario Golf.
Identity
He is initially mentioned as the first/fake[5] or first/blue[6] Bowser in the Japanese guides of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, which do not specify his relationship to Bowser besides one suggesting that he is not his twin.[7] In the character books of the '90s released before the release of Super Mario All-Stars, the blue Bowser is described as being either Bowser's first[8] or younger[9][10] brother. Super Mario Zen Hyakka, a book written in collaboration with Nintendo, describes him as part of the 「王族」 (Ō-zoku, literally "King Tribe") and thus a leader of the Koopa Troop and member of Bowser's royal family, along with the Koopalings and Bowser himself.[9][11] Due to his recoloring from blue to green in Super Mario All-Stars, he is not considered a distinct character from fake Bowsers in the Japanese official guide book.[12] Contradicting one of the original Japanese guides for The Lost Levels (which suggested that he was not a twin),[7] when "Bowser's Brother" is described in Nintendo Power's guide for Super Mario All-Stars it states "Bowser's got a twin".[1] After the release of Super Mario All-Stars, he was referred to as a fake Bowser,[3] with the exception being the Prima Games guide for Super Mario Bros. Deluxe, where he is again considered Bowser's brother.[13] In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the English text suggests the blue Bowser is a fake[14] while the Japanese version leaves his nature ambiguous.[15] Super Mario Pia, a memorial book also written in collaboration with Nintendo, depicts the blue Bowser as a particular fake Bowser.[16] Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros., which was released around the same time, distinguishes him from fake Bowsers[17] but states that his identity is unknown.[18]
Profiles
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U / Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tip
- "A Bowser Impostor?! – In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Mario fights a blue fake Bowser before the real thing. That blue fake is his eighth color in this game!"
Gallery
Fire Mario facing Bowser's Brother in World 8-4 of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
Bowser's Brother in World 9-3 of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
Luigi facing Bowser's Brother in the Super Mario Bros. Deluxe version of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (referred to in this game as "Super Mario Bros. For Super Players")
Fire Mario facing the recolored Bowser's Brother in the Super Mario All-Stars version of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
Unused palette in Super Mario All-Stars
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | クッパ・アオ[9] Kuppa Ao ニセクッパ[16] Nise Kuppa クッパ(青)[17][19] Kuppa (Ao) |
Blue Bowser Fake Bowser Bowser (Blue) |
| German | Bowser (blau)[20] |
Bowser (blue) |
| Italian | Bowser Blu[22] |
Blue Bowser |
| Spanish | Bowser azul[21] |
Blue Bowser |
Trivia
- Due to his bluish coloration, Bowser's Brother resembles Shigeru Miyamoto's original blue depiction of Bowser in artwork for Super Mario Bros., prior to the character's redesign in artwork for Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels.
References
- ^ a b Page 62 of the Super Mario All-Stars Player's Guide has the heading "BOWSER'S BROTHER" and states "You're in for a surprise. Bowser's got a twin."
- ^ English Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels entry on the official Mario Portal. nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved August 13, 2022. (Archived August 13, 2022 14:35:18 UTC via archive.today.)
- ^ a b Page 65 of 「パーフェクト版 マリオキャラクター大事典」 (Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten, or "Perfect Edition of the Great Mario Character Encyclopedia"). The text states "A fake Bowser appears in the Famicom version of Super Mario. Since his color is blue, you can tell at a glance that he's a fake, but unfortunately in Mario Collection he became the same green." while the two captions state "Obviously fake blue Bowser." and "He can't be distinguished from the real thing."
- ^ The Cutting Room Floor's page on Super Mario All-Stars
- ^ Page 50 of 「ファミリーコンピュータ必勝道場⑦スーパーマリオブラザーズ2」 (Family Computer Hisshō Dōjō ⑦ Super Mario Bros. 2, or "Family Computer Certain Victory Dojo ⑦ Super Mario Bros. 2") refers to the blue Bowser as 「1匹めのクッパ」 (the first Bowser), also noting that he isn't the real Bowser: 「こいつ真のクッパではない。」
- ^ Page 62 of 「ファミリーコンピュータ必勝道場⑪スーパーマリオブラザーズ1&2神わざ大全集」 (Family Computer Hisshō Dōjō ⑪ Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 Kami Waza Taizenshū, or "Family Computer Certain Victory Dojo ⑪ Super Mario Bros. 1 & 2 Great Complete Work on Miracles/Glitches"). 「1匹めのクッパはむりして倒さなくていいよ!ワールド8-4とD-4には、クッパが2匹出てする。そのうちの1匹めは,青いクッパなんだけど」 (It's ok if you try hard but don't defeat the first Bowser. In Worlds 8-4 and D-4, Bowser appears twice. The first of those is the blue Bowser...)
- ^ a b Page 89 of 「スーパマリオブラザーズ2<裏ワザ大全集>」 (Super Mario Bros. 2 < Urawaza Taizenshū >, or "Super Mario Bros. 2 Great Complete Work on Secret Tricks") has the paragraph: 「おお一つと！またグッバがいた。ということは、大魔王クッパはふたごだったのか、なんちゃって。アホ。」 (Oh! Bowser is here again. That is to say, the Great Demon King Bowser is actually a TWIN, not! Idiot.) Note that the author is mocking the reader for believing that Bowser has a twin.
- ^ Page 155 of 「全スーパーマリオ大百科」 (Zen Super Mario Ōhyakka, or "Complete Super Mario Great Encyclopedia") states of the blue Bowser: 「クッパ兄弟の1匹目はよけろ!」 (The first of the Bowser brothers!)
- ^ a b c Page 144 of 「スーパーマリオ全百科」 (Super Mario Zen Hyakka, or "Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia"). The blue Bowser is referred to as 「クッパブラザーズの弟」 (the younger of the Bowser brothers). The page also states 「クッパの弟だ」 (He's Bowser's younger brother).
- ^ On page 36 of 「スーパーマリオ大図鑑」 (Super Mario Bros. Daizukan, or "Super Mario Great Picture Book") Dr. Mario states: 「『マリオ２』ではクッパの弟が影武者だったクッパとおなじ力をもった強敵だったぞ！」 (In "Mario 2", Bowser's little brother was a strong enemy who had the same strength as Bowser's body doubles.)
- ^ On page 89 of 「スーパーマリオ全百科」 (Super Mario Zen Hyakka, or "Super Mario Complete Encyclopedia") the 「王族」term, meaning King Tribe, is given the following explanation: 「クッパ軍団を統率する王家の面々。クッパ、コクッパがこれにあたる。」 (Every member of the royal family that leads the Bowser army corps. Bowser and the Koopalings apply here.)
- ^ On page 92 of the Nintendo Official Guidebook of Super Mario Collection, the blue Bowser is referred to as 「ニセクッパ」 (Fake Bowser).
- ^ Cain, Christine. Super Mario Bros. Deluxe Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Page 71. "Look out! Bowser has a Hammer-throwing brother, and he’s here to stop you from getting to the end. If you’ve got fireballs, use ʻem. Otherwise ..."
- ^ "A Bowser Impostor?! In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Mario fights a blue fake Bowser before the real thing. That blue fake is his eighth color in this game!" - Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Tips.
- ^ 「にせクッパ!? 『スーパーマリオブラザーズ2』には、青いクッパが登場する。倒すとその先にいつもの緑のクッパがいる。『スマブラ』では8Pカラーで青いクッパになる。」 (Fake Bowser!? In Super Mario Bros. 2, a blue Bowser appears. Defeat him and beyond is the usual green Bowser. In Smash Bros., the 8P color is the blue-colored Bowser.) - Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Tips.
- ^ a b On page 22 of 「スーパーマリオぴあ」 (Super Mario Pia), the blue Bowser is labeled as 「ニセクッパ」 (Fake Bowser) while still stressing his body being blue.
- ^ a b Page 27 of 「スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guide Book, or "Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: Nintendo Official Guide Book")
- ^ Page 30 of 「スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guide Book, or "Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: Nintendo Official Guide Book"). 「謎の青いクッパ! W8-4でクツパと対決する直前、体の青いクッパと戦うことになる。クッパと同等の能力を持つが、その正体は不明。W9-3とWD-4にも登場する。」 (Mysterious Blue Bowser! In W8-4 just before confronting Bowser, a blue-bodied Bowser must be fought. He has the same abilities as Bowser, but his true identity is unknown. He also appears in W9-3 and WD-4.)
- ^ Nintendo of Japan. "Official archive page of Super Mario Bros. 2".
- ^ Page 27 of Super Mario Encyclopedia – Die ersten 30 Jahre.
- ^ Page 27 of Enciclopedia Super Mario Bros 30ª Aniversario.
- ^ Page 27 of Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia.
| Bowser's family |
|---|
| Forms and counterparts |
| Alarm Koopa • Baby Bowser (Mega Baby Bowser) • Black Bowser • Blockhead Bowser • Bowcien • Bowser • Bowletta • Castle Bowser • Dreamy Bowser • Dry Bowser • Fury Bowser • Giant Bowser • Giga Bowser • King Koopa's alter egos • King Tetris • Koopa 3 • Magma Bowser • MegaDragonBowser • Meowser • Paper Bowser • President Koopa • Shiny RoboBowser • Shrowser |
| Current in-game relatives |
| Dry Bowser • Bowser Jr. • Paper Bowser Jr. |
| Former in-game relatives |
| Bowser's Brother • Koopa Kid • Koopalings (Larry Koopa · Morton Koopa Jr. · Wendy O. Koopa · Iggy Koopa · Roy Koopa · Lemmy Koopa · Ludwig von Koopa) |
| Miscellaneous relatives |
| Bowser's cousin • Bowser's father • Bowser's mother • Bowser's sister • Enma Daiō • King Koopa's great-great grandkoop • Poopa La Koopa |
| Pets |
| Mechawiggler • Pookie • Ratso |
| President Koopa's relatives |
| Iggy • Spike |
